Most teams have guys like these. The top 10 guys on each team are pretty talented and capable of dropping 20-25 points if given enough shots. What separates the wheat from the chaff is some players' ability to do it every single night. Outlaw is the former. He can blow up at any given moment, but can't do it consistently. This is why he's average and no more than a sparkplug player off the bench. At his current price he's totally worth it--but if he and his agent push for the next tier of contract, I can't see how Pritchard could justify the additional spend --especially given the slew of young Blazers about to get paid.
warts and all, I like having Travis on the club. He excels in his role of spreading the court with solid 3 point shooting and being a go option for the 2nd unit. He also gets to the line as well as Aldridge and much more then any other Blazer forward. If his D was better he'd be a starter, but it's not so he's not... but he is dirt cheap. If I've grown accustom to anything here it's the boards need to have a scapegoat to bag on, but heres to him having another solid season STOMP
I DO love how he was able to hit some really clutch shots down the stretch and even win a few for us. However, I also wonder about how much he may have hurt us because of some of his decision making. As a glue guy and a human being, I have nothing but love for Travis. He's a great guy that deserves to be happy in life. However, I'm not sure how he'll fit here long term unless he can find a way to start rebounding at a higher clip and defending stronger players.
I know that turnovers aren't a direct reflection of all the decisions that a player makes, but Travis averaged only 1.5 per 36 minutes last season. Thats a pretty low rate... in fact of the guys in the rotation only Batum and Joel averaged fewer. STOMP
I did not reference his scoring average. If I emphasized anything (besides his grin, LOL) was his heart and hustle. Sometimes a "team" needs such a player. The Birdman in Denver brings this to his team, for example. No, I'm not comparing the two players! Just comparing what each brings when they step onto the hardwood. My point to my thread was a simple one: Blazer fans - cheer on our players and show them some love. Travis brings certain qualities to the team that are valuable. He was 5-5 on game winning shots in 08-09. That equates to 5 wins. If the ball is not in Roy's hands - I'd still give it to Outlaw over LMA, Rudy, Pryz, Oden, Blake...or Miller. I'm hoping that LMA will soon be the number 2 go-to guy, but Travis has a jumper that cannot be contested. I realize Travis will not be a starter on the Blazers - barrng injury - but I, for one, will be cheering him on for as long as he wears black and red. PS: As of today, I'd take Travis over Webster. Both have much to prove - and Webster very well may have the bigger upside - but this is to be seen. In summation: Go Travis! Go Blazers! It is going to be a fun 09-10 season! I predict 58 wins.
I'm the heartless Outlaw hater, and as such can't just let some of these claims go by. That said, I would be ecstatic if Travis showed he cared about anything on the floor more than his "wet" jumper, or shooting enough to be an All-Star. I haven't seen that "heart and hustle" yet. If I did we probably wouldn't be having this conversation. Webs at least redefined his game from his own expectations to what Nate wanted, whether you think he sucks at those redefinitions or not. Based on 82games.com, the 5-5 was in 07-08, not last year. Here's what Hollinger says about that season: Then his assist rate went down another 10% last year, while his turnover ratio held steady and his true FG% went up to 54%. The other 5 years of his career he's a combined 1-2 in game winners. That's not to discount the 5-5, but I'd submit that it's a small sample size--look at his "clutch play" as a better metric (for instance, other "clutch" players by this stat include Flip Murray (4-4), David Lee (4-5) and Eddy Curry (5-7)). In the 82games.com definition: his FG% goes from 45% to 39%, his 3pt % goes from 37% to 20%, his FT% goes from 72% to 66%, his turnovers go up by 50% (from 1.2 to 1.8 TO/48) and he didn't have a single assist in 139 minutes. As far as a "jumper that cannot be contested", whether it's blocked or not it goes in 41% of the time. When he's on the floor, I cheer for him unless he does something really dumb. But my hope is that he isn't on the floor 28mpg again this year. And the only things stopping these guys from over 60 wins are injuries or poor gameplanning.
Really, I don't disagree with your points - only your sentiment! I have similar points to make about Webster's play - but can't wait to cheer him on! Truth is, by the trade deadline, I hope that Travis, Webs and Batum have all improved their games - and that (in a package deal with PlayLess - oops, Bayless) can land us a premier SF! Until then!
I like Travis on the team. His clutch capabilities are valuable. The holes in his game can be negated if Batum proves to be legit. Yeah he sucked in the playoffs but he was going against Artest/Battier. Travis has always improved sloooowly. First postseason jitters out of the way. Next year he could make some noise come playoff time.
Just finished watching the Pistons game here last January. Trav hit the game winning shot again. The guy is clutch whether you think he has basketball I.Q. or not.
Absolutely. I'll bet if you watch that game 100 times, Travis hits the game winner in at least 75 of them. barfo
and the fact that in those 100 times that Travis took that shot.. NOT ONCE did Michael Curry think of taking the ball out of Travis' hands. I think this had a lot to do with Curry's firing.
